PCL begins second phase of Rogers Centre renovation
The project is transforming the multi-purpose facility into a modern baseball stadium.
PCL crews work to renovate Rogers Centre in Toronto. – PCL
Key Takeaways:
- The 34-year-old stadium is getting a $300M upgrade.
- PCL has already conducted major demolition work the lower bowl and at the field level.
- A total of 2.4 million pounds of structural steel has been fabricated offsite and will be installed at Rogers Centre to complete the project.
- The work is expected to go through April next year.
The Whole Story:
PCL is going into extra innings on the Rogers Centre renovation project. The contractor announced it has been awarded the second phase of work to renovate the home of the Blue Jays in Toronto.
The second phase of work is part of a more than $300 million multi-year renovation that aims to transform the 34-year-old multi-purpose stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernizing the fan experience and building world-class player facilities for the Toronto Blue Jays.
“PCL and our partners are passionate about bringing the Toronto Blue Jays’ reimagined vision for Rogers Centre to life,” says Monique Buckberger, vice president and district manager, PCL Constructors Canada Inc., Toronto. “Following the complex, fast-track renovation completed in just six months for the 2023 season, the second phase of the project will deliver an even greater volume of work in the same time frame, as the 100 level seating bowl is demolished and rebuilt to bring Blue Jays fans an experience designed specifically for baseball.”
The first phase of the project achieved substantial completion on March 31, 2023 and opened to fans on April 11 for the 2023 season Blue Jays Home Opener.
The second phase of work features a reimagined 100 level seating bowl and structure (from foul pole to foul pole) designed specifically for baseball viewing, with an all-new Blue Jays clubhouse in addition to three new premium clubs and seating sections. The 100 level seating bowl features:
- A more comfortable experience with additional legroom, modern-shaped seats with slats on the back that provide more airflow, wider seats between the dugouts, cupholders throughout, adaptable raisable armrest options and handrails in every aisle.
- Greater variety of seating options including different vantage points from new sections, accessible field level seats plus premium seating experiences.
- Designed specifically for baseball viewing with seats oriented towards the infield, improved sightlines with less obstruction and new seats closer to the action as a result of the remodeled bowl structure.
The three new premium clubs include:
- Batting Tunnel Club located behind home plate – third base side.
- Home Plate Club located directly behind home plate.
- The Lounge located behind home plate – first base side.
Crews have already completed demolition work for the lower bowl and at the field level. At the peak of demolition and excavation work, 10 excavators were on site with 344 dump trucks cycling in and out of Rogers Centre over a temporary bridge in one day.
With a fast-tracked construction timeline, formwork for the new build began and the first new concrete was poured on the same day demolition was completed in October.
Approximately 500 truckloads worth of concrete are expected to be poured to complete the project. On Nov. 9, a major piece of mechanical equipment was delivered by crane from Bremner Blvd. into Rogers Centre through an opening in the roof.
The first structural steel column was put up on November 13. A total of 2.4 million pounds of structural steel has been fabricated offsite and will be installed at Rogers Centre to complete the project.
